Context

Developing life-long learners in a caring, creative community, is the school’s mission statement and encapsulates a philosophy that places learning at the centre and manifests an openness to new ideas, strategies and technologies.

Ballyclare High School has an enrolment of 1210 pupils drawn from a wide catchment area. The School admits a large number of pupils who secure high scores in their AQE transfer tests and historically it has been oversubscribed with first choice applications.

There is a strong tradition of good relationships between teachers, pupils and parents at Ballyclare High School and between the School and the wider community, including the business community and industry.

We expect high standards of presentation, behaviour and application to study; we encourage excellence and we support learning needs. Confidence and self-esteem are promoted through positive discipline through which we encourage self-respect, respect for each other and tolerance of diversity.

Pupils are encouraged to show initiative, set ambitious goals and demonstrate personal endeavour. Our pastoral care structure provides support for pupils from form tutors and heads of year, while members of sixth form support and assist younger pupils through our ‘Buddy’ system and an induction programme for transferring pupils.

Staff and pupils are encouraged to have a global perspective through links sustained over a number of years with schools in other parts of the world. The School has twice received the International School Award. Enterprise is encouraged through our extensive extra-curricular programme, in which there is a very high level of participation from pupils of all ages, allowing them to develop the skills they need to work together to achieve shared goals.

This is a progressive grammar school in which there has been a high level of investment in resources and training to ensure quality of access to information and communications technology and to create a culture in which learning and communication are enriched and expectations of achievement raised. Facilities for the use of ICT across the curriculum are excellent which includes a modern Learning Centre. The School was a Specialist School for ICT between 2006-2011. Participation in the Specialist Schools’ Programme allowed us to develop more rapidly the impact of ICT on learning and attainment and to disseminate our best practice to other schools and the wider community.

Dr M Rainey

Principal

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“Any parent should know that the ‘value added’ of the school and its desire to always give of its best for students. I’ve been in so many schools over nearly 4 years. Few places sacrifice so much for their learners. It is greatly appreciated”